Outdoor Speaker Help/Suggestions?

[JSE]

I need to some help getting some ideas for outdoor speakers. I just had a ourdoor kitchen w/ 12 x18' arbor built and I need some sound for the backyard/pool/kitchen area. I don't need to go high end and I want to spend about $300 max-ish for a pair of outdoor speakers. I've looked at the usual suspect in this range like Klipsh, Polk, JBL and some others. I've also found some Athenas that look decent for the price. I've come to the conclusion I am going to give up some bass response at this price range and I am OK with that. To get into the lower frequencies the price goes way up and I don't really want to spend a lot of the speakers.

So, does anyone here have any experience with outdoor speakers? I was hoping to maybe get some other alternative brand ideas or maybe even some first hand experience with a particular brand. Any help would be appreciated as I can't really demo the speakers.

BTW, the speakers will be power by some older "80's vintage" Technics Micro Series seperates which are nice and compact. The amp is 50wpc I think and most music will probably be played via an iPod and an older CD player. Nothing fancy. I just need some decent speakers that won't sound like crap.

[bobsticks]

I've heard a pair of the Polk outdoor speakers---couldn't tell you the model number---that weren't bad under the circumstances.

How susceptible are these things gonna be to rain, recent gail force winds notwithstanding? If they're not gonna be mounted and will have some cover maybe somethhing to think about would be used or vintage monitors that would keep you in the same price range, be easily replaced, and would yield beter performance...

..yeah, I know you said you were willing to make sacrifices. I'm just sayin'...

[RoadRunner6]

http://www.axiomaudio.com/outdoor_speakers.html

RR6

[JSE]

Sticks, I would love to have some vintage monitors but I don't think they will stand up to the heat here in Texas and I don't want to have to set them up everytime if not mounted.
The speakers will be protected from direct rain but may get some spray from the pool cleaner occasionally. Of course there is always the moisture from the humidity.

RR, I like the Axioms. A little over my price range but they may work. I like the fact that I can get the "spice" color to match the cedar arbor they will be mounted under. The $30 brackets put the price close to $400 so I may get a little flac from the wife. However, the speakers would match the arbor so maybe she will give in. The price of the outdoor kitchen and arbor have ruffled her feathers a bit but what's another $400? :ihih:

[Rich-n-Texas]

At least the outdoor kitchen made it through the storm.

What're we eatin' this weekend? I'll bring margaritas. :biggrin5:

[JSE]

At least the outdoor kitchen made it through the storm.

What're we eatin' this weekend? I'll bring margaritas. :biggrin5:

Hopefully it's up and running this weekend. The grill, stainless drawers and cabinet doors should go into today or tomorrow. The fridge, ice maker, sink/disposal, cabinets, counter tops, ceiling fans, electrial are all done. Might add a backsplash against the house. Not sure yet. Maybe I can get some photos up tonight or tomorrow.

If it's ready, you can bring the ritas and I wills supply the rest. We might as well just have your 4500 party here then. Everyone can come.

[RoadRunner6]

JSE, On the plus side is that Axiom ships free with no tax. This is basically the Axiom M3, a very fine speaker. I own the M2's and am very pleased.

RR6

[Rich-n-Texas]

But if he bought the Axiom's he'd then be supporting one of the millions of this site's sponsors. We can't have that, now can we?

[JSE]

Those Axioms are looking pretty good.

Here some Outdoor Kitchen Shots. The grill and stainless steel cabinets are not in yet so that's why there are some holes. We're also having a tile backsplash put in against the side of the house where the 2x4 is now.

<a href="http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/JSEvans/Backyard/?action=view&current=kitchen1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/JSEvans/Backyard/kitchen1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/JSEvans/Backyard/?action=view&current=Kitchen2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/JSEvans/Backyard/Kitchen2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/JSEvans/Backyard/?action=view&current=Kitchen3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/JSEvans/Backyard/Kitchen3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/JSEvans/Backyard/?action=view&current=Kitchen4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/JSEvans/Backyard/Kitchen4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>